Pleasures abound for those fortunate enough to take full advantage of all that the luxury lifestyle has to offer. Whether it be fueling up the private jet for a jaunt over to Vegas, taking time off to take in the pleasures afforded on a plush megayacht, delighting in the delectable treats offered at one of the city’s many top-rated restaurants, or relishing in some retail therapy at some of our favorite shopping venues, the benefits of affluence cannot be denied.
The Carneros Inn
The Carneros Inn, a PlumpJack Resort, is an exclusive Napa Valley destination where rustic charm finds balance with urbane sophistication. The stylish resort boasts 86 polished countryside cottages with private patios and landscaped courtyards, in addition to private homes, set amidst 27 acres of seemingly infinite grapevines, wide-open Napa farmland, and pastoral apple orchards. Corralled within The Carneros Inn grounds, guests can indulge in classic roadhouse fare at Boon Fly Café or experience authentic wine country fine dining at FARM, which is supported by the bounty of the Carneros region’s local farmers and ranches. The Spa at Carneros also incorporates the area’s natural elements into its menu, which includes the Red Flower Carneros Wine Blossom Treatment. Further relaxation can be found at The Carneros’ signature Hilltop Pool, an adults-only infinity-edge pool boasting 360-degree views of the picturesque countryside and bordering vineyards. But the resort’s highlight may be its latest addition: the Harvest Cottages. Aside from the richly appointed interiors, each of these private havens offers outdoor fireplaces, as well as an outdoor soaking tub and private garden—the ideal setting for a relaxing, true wine country experience. — Diana Gdula
The Carneros Inn
4048 Sonoma Highway
Napa, CA 94559
707.299.4900
www.thecarnerosinn.com
Hotel Vitale
Enjoying a warm summer evening sipping cocktails on the picturesque patio while overlooking San Francisco’s Embarcadero Waterfront is just one of the perks of dining at Hotel Vitale’s Americano Restaurant & Bar. And if the Bay air gets too chilly, you can always move inside where you will find a sophisticated-yet-casual fine dining room lined with cozy wingchairs that will make you feel right at home.
But weather isn’t the only thing that changes with seasons at the award-winning Americano. Inspired by the proximity to the renowned Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, the restaurant’s newly appointed Chef Kory Stewart has purposefully handcrafted new lunch and dinner menus with only the best and freshest local ingredients in mind. In addition, the menu is supplemented by a weekly market menu, which features special dishes that all incorporate local farms’ freshest in-season ingredients.
Stewart encourages guests to shop the market and to request to have their purchases cooked and prepared at the restaurant. As an extra special bonus, it can be arranged for Stewart to accompany diners to the market and guide their shopping excursion before returning to Americano to complete the customized experience. The soulful and satisfying Italian fare at Americano will no doubt leave you coming back for more. — Sherri Balefsky
Hotel Vitale
8 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
415.278.3700
www.hotelvitale.com
